Drawing board and the like



Jan. 2, 1934. T. E. HORST DRAWING BOARD AND THE LIKE Original Filed April 26, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet l may all

Jan. 2, 1934. T. E. HORST DRAWING BOARD AND THE LIKE Original Filed April 26, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 1 k .1, f wwwmn ENNYW q QNQN 9 CW LN QR Q ,ofi m6 kw Iv .Q W xi 1 w 4 A ND 4. A A QM Qv wvfmw NN kin MN RN QW 1" fwi w lam QM;

Patented Jan. 2,1934

DRAWING BOARD AND THE LIKE Tallmon Ethan Horst, Chicago, III.

I Application April 26, 1930, Serial No. 447,557

' Renewed May 22, 1933 16 Claims.

The present invention has to do with an improved construction of drawing boards and the like. The construction herein disclosed is so ar- 3 ranged'that itcan be folded up into a relatively small compact structure and when so folded up into suchstructure it serves to establish and provide a carrying case for-painters or draftsmens equipment or equipment of that kind. In other 9 words; the device isrso constructed that it can it be folded up into a box-like receptacle or can be opened out into a fiat drafting board.

Another feature of the invention relates to the provision of c an improved hinge structure for joining the sections'together so that they will come into the proper relative positions when either folded up or opened out. It is a further object to so arrange this hinge structure that it will effectively lock the companion board sections rigidly with respect to each other so that 20 when. opened out into-the drafting board form the device willbe sufliciently rigid for ordinary drafting operations;

Another feature of the invention relates to the provision" of a series ofpanels so related and hinged together that when folded up into the box structure they provide a box of convenient proportions; and when opened out into the drafting board structure they provide a drafting board of j uniform thickness at all points; the panels com ing into such relationship that this result is accomplished; s a Another object is to provide a device of very simple form and few parts and'one which can be Q readily manufactured at low cost.

Other-objects and uses of the invention will appear "from .a detailed description of the same which consistsin 'the features of construction and combinations of parts hereinafter described and'claimed.

In the drawings: 1"

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the device folded up into'bo-x form showing the relation'which is then'assumed by the different panels; i

Figure. 2.:show's a view of the device opened out into the flat drafting board form, certain'of the panels being in a partially raised position;

Figure 3 shows a fragmentary longitudinalsecjacent edge portions'of the side panels, the parts being opened out'into the drafting board position and the end panel being folded over into the drafting board position; 1

Figure 4 showsa view similarto that. ofFigure 3 but with the panels turned into a quarter and 10, so thatthe two top panels 14 and'15 tion taken through the central panel and the ad the arrows, the end panel being shown in one position by full lines and in two other positions by dotted lines;

Fig. "lshows a perspective view of the bracket to which the cam shaft and cams are pivoted; D and l Fig. 8 shows a fragmentary detail view of one of the cams, being taken on the line 8'--8 of Figure 5, looking in the direction of the arrows.

The device herein illustrated includes the side panels 9 and 10, bottom panel 11, end panels 12 and13, and top panels 14 and 15." The bottom panel 11 and the side panels 12 and 13 as well as the top panels 14 and 15 are each of less thickness than the side panels 9 and 10. In fact the thickness of the bottom panel 11 plus the end panel 13 and the top panel 15, or the thickness of the bottom panel 11 plus the end panel 12'and the q 1 top panel 14 is equal to the thickness of either of the side panels 9 and 10, both of said side panels being of the same thickness. Furthermore, the combined lengths of the top panels 14 and 15 are equal to thelength of each of the side panels 9 together establish the entire length of the device. Furthermore, the end panels 12 and -13 are each substantially equal in length to the corresponding top panels 14 and 15. From this it follows that the height of' the box structure is one-half of its lengththat isto say, the width of each of the side panels 9 and 10 is equal to'o'nehalf its length. a a The adjoining edges of the panels 12and 14 are hinged together along the line 16 and the adjoining edges of the panels 13 and 15 are hinged 100 together alongthe line 17. These hinges 16 and 17 permit the panels 13 and '15 tobe folded around to bring their two outside faces into face contact with each other. This is also true with'respect to the panels 12 and 14. When the two panels of each of said pairs are folded into face contact, they may then be turned down into face contact 7 with the bottom panel 11. This condition being illustrated with respect'tothe panel 14 (and the hidden panel 12) in Figure 2. Due to the relative thicknesses of the parts, they will, when folded into this position, establish a combined thickness to bring their exposed faces flush with the exposed faces of the panels 9 and 10, such condition being illustrated with respect to the panel 14 in Figure 2. Due to this circumstance, the entire surface of the drafting board will present a flush continuous substantially smooth surface.

The side panels 9 and 10 are hinged with respect to the panel 11 so that they can either be opened out into the flat position of Figure 2 or they can be folded up into the right angular position of Figure 1. The hinge structures by which this result is accomplished are also of such a nature that when the side panels 9 and 10 are openedout. parallel to the bottom panel 11 and the end panels 12 and 13 are folded down against the bottom panel 11, the parts are locked so that the side panels 9 and 10 are retained in theircondition of parallelism with respect to the bottom panel 1 1. The hir 1ges 18 and 19 are for accomplishing the above purposes. I will now describe the construction of thesehinges in detail. For this purpose only oneof the hinges need be considered ,as they areboth of the same construction, and

reference maybe had to Figures 2 to 8, inc1usive.

Eachend portion of each of the side panels. 9 and 10 is provided adjacenttothe bottom panel 11,- with apocket or recess. These are thepock- ..ets.20 and 21, respectively; Each hinge includes a box structure 22 which, constitutes in effect one of ,theendportions, of the bottom panel 11; and

the box structures 22 of the bottom panel 11' are lined'upwith the corresponding pockets 20 and 21 pect v ly,-

h in e ed es: o th s d pa ls 9 and 10 are directly connected to the hinge struc-q re 3am 4;. seeFi r s 4 a d .5) one end vof eac,h;of said links being pivotally connected t0 e-up fa ev p rtion of th rr sp ndm Lsidepanel and the otherend of each link being pivotally connected to the upper faceportion of the hinges The relationship'is such that when thesi de, panels lay. out parallel to the bottom of the bottom panel, and inso doing theyrdraw the side panels inwardly so as to bring their top faces into flat contact with the ends ofjthe hinges. This result is clearly shown in Figure .5.

For the, above purpose I ,preferjto provide the brackets 25 and 26. on the edge portions of the sidepanels, said brackets being offset as shown in Figure 3, and the adjacent ends of the links 23 and 24;;are pivotally connected to said brackets by the pins or, rivets 2'7 and 28, respectively.

Likewise, I prefer to provide-brackets 29, and 30 on the edge portions of the hingestructures, the inner ends of the links 23 and 24 being pivot-.

ally connected thereto by the pins or: rivets 31 and; 32.

.links 33 and 34 reach over into the hinge structure andere slidably mounted therein, for which purpose theyslide through the brackets 29 and 30 already referred to.

Such fact is clearly evi-- dentIromFigure 3. The inner ends of the links 33 and 34 are provided with hooks 3'7 and 38 (best shown in Figure 3); and due to the manner in which the links themselves are slidably supported, these inner hook ends 37 and 38 are of a spring nature so that in case of necessity they can spring down slightly.

There is a bracket 39 located in the central portion of each of the hinges. These brackets are of peculiar form. including the downwardly extending arms 40 and 41, which then reach outwardly in the projections 42 and 43. The position of one of these brackets in its hinge is Well shown in the section of Figure 6. There is a short shaft 44 journaled in the extensions 42 and 43. The central portion of this shaft has rigidly connected to it an arm 45 to which the corresponding end panel 12 or 13 as the case may be is connected as shown in Figure 2 in particular. Consequently, the swinging of the end panel rotates the shaft.

The shaft 44 is provided with a pair of segmental cams 46 and 47 which are adapted to engage and pull upon thecorresponding hooks.3'7 and 38. This relationship .is clearly shown in.

Flgul83. i 3 f It willnow be evident that by turning the. side panels 9 and 10.out. paral1e1 to the. bottom .panel: 11, the links 33 and. 34 are projected inwardszto-..=1 wards each other so as to carry their hooks 37 and. 38 into position adjacent to the camsiAfiland' 47.5 Thereupon, by. turningthe. end. panel :ovenzto; bring the same flush against,the:bottompaneli11,4 the cams pull upon thehooksso as:.to. drawithei, links 33. and 34 up tightwith theres'ult. that the side panels are firmly locked :in .the :extendedor. .1.

parallel position. This is essentialinorder to $61119 ableto; satisfactorily. Iuse theidraftingzboard.

The operation and :use'. .of;this device. in: service 1 will now be quite evident.) Assuming 113113.13 the-2. parts have-been turned out into. the: drafting;v board positionyand assumingithatit is desired atou1 foldthem around into theboxzform, fthe3doublez. panelse 12-.,14' and,, 13,.15; ,1 are folded. around :so: that the panels 12 and 13 lie at:rightangles ito:.

. the ,bot-tompanel. 11;): .During this operation the. panels 12..and. 13 .ardturnetthroughethreeequarsmo ters. ofia turn from; .t 'erzhorizontal edotted position; of Figure 6 throughitherfull.=linevpnsi:; tion, iandup intoj ltheiyeiitioal dotted linepositions of Figured 1 This-.actionicauses;a Fs'uificientxotaae tion -of thei'shafts 44 ::.to:;-.completely;-;unlock.tl'ir hooks 37 and,3 8. Thisresulthaving: beenacc'om-gu:

plished, the side panels 9 and 10 are tu'rndiupi.

. intothe enclosing, position: of Figure; 1; Thfntopi panels .14 and" 15 may then beafoldedloutinto the:

horizontal or closingposition indicatedin. Figure- 1 1. ;-'I hiswi1l.complete the enclosure-.ofzthe: device; as a boxer carrier. If .desired,.suitable handles, maybe provided'for cairryingthe device :wh'enail openedjnto the box form. Theseimaybein the; form of wire loops, such as 48 and 49, which slide -1 down into the body portion of the panels whennoti in use. 1 ".l y 1. .r' w :T:

While I have herein shown, and described only a single embodiment ofthe featuresiofimyfpresents: invention, still I do not intend to limit myself; thereto, except. as .I may doso in theclai'ms:-:; :T

1. In a device ofthe class described,.the combination of a pair of side panels, a bottom panel;

end panels having theirlower ends hingedlycon.- :5

nected to the ends of;the bottom paneLtop'panelss having their ends hingedly connected to the .free'i;

ends of1the end panels, and hinge-connections bes. 2.

they are broad, and each end panel and each top panel being of -length equal to the breadth on side panel, substantially as described.

2. In adevice" of the class described, the combination of a pair of side panels, a bottom panel, end panels, hinge connections between'the outer ends of theend panels and the corresponding ends of the bottom panel, and a top panel having its end hingedly connected to the free end of one of the end panels, and hinge connections between the sidepanels and the bottom panel, each side panel being substantially twice as long as'it is broad and each end panel having a length equal to the breadth of a side panel, substantially as described.

13. In a device of the class described, the'co'm together, said links being located adjacent to the bination of a pair of side panels, a bottom panel located between the edges of the side panels, hinge connections between theside panels and the bot tom panel permitting the side panels to be folded into parallelism with the bottom panel or at right angles with respect to the bottom panel, end

panels, 'hinge connections between the ends of the end panels and the ends of the bottom panel,

top panels, hinge connections between the ends of the top panels and the free ends of the end panels, the bottom panel, end panels and top panels all being of the same width, the side panels being substantially twice as long as they are broad, and the end panels and top panels being of a length equal to the breadth of the side panels, the combined thickness of the bottom panel and either end panel together with the adjoining top panel g, being equal to the thickness of a side panel, sub- 35 stantially as described.

4. In a device of the class described, the combination of a pair of side panels, an intermediate bottom panel, end panels, hinge connections bev tween the ends of the end panels and the ends of 40 the bottom panel, top panels, hinge connections between the ends of the top panels and the free ends of the end panels, and hinge connections between the side panels and the bottom panel, including means for locking the side panels and the bottom panel in co-planar relationship when the end and top panels are folded over adjacent to the bottom panel, substantially as described.

5. In a device of the class described, the combination of a pair of side panels, an intermediate bottom panel, hinge connections between the side panels and the bottom panel, end panels, hinge connections between the end panels and the ends of the bottom panel, and means under the control of said last mentioned hinge connections operative effectively to lock the side panels in position parallel to the bottom panel when the end panels are folded into position adjacent to the bottom panel, substantially as described.

6. In a device of the class described, the combination of a central panel and two adjacent side panels, together with means for hinging the adjacent edges of the side panels to the central panel, said hinge means being located adjacent to the top surfaces of the panels, links pivotally connected to the side panels adjacent to their bottom surfaces and slidable towards and from each other adjacent to the central panel, a cam shaft journaled in the central panel, hooks on the inner ends of said links, segmental cams on the cam shaft in position to engage said hooks for the purpose of drawing the links towards each other, and means for turning said shaft effectively to rotate the cams and draw the links towards each other, substantially as described.

- 7. In a device of the class described, the combination of a' central' panel and a pair of'side panels adjacent to the edges thereof,'means for hingedly connecting'the side panels to the central panel adjacent to the top surfaces'of said panels, links pivotally connected to" the side panels adjacent to their bottom surfaces, said links being movable towards and from each other adjacent to the bottom surface of the central panel, and means under control of the operator top'surfaces of the panels, and said'links being positioned'to establish connection between the panels when their edges are incontact'and the surfaces of the panels are flush with eachother," and the arrangement being such that the panels" may be turn'ed into right-angular relationship with respect to each other with the'edge portion of one panel in contact with'the surface of the other panel, together with'means for drawingthe edge portions of the panels together when the panels are in co-planar relationship, substantially as described.

9. In a device of the class described, the combination of a pair of side panels, an intermediate bottom panel of less thickness than the side panels, hinge connections between the side panels and the bottom panel, end panels, hinge connections between the ends of the end panels and the adjacent ends of the bottom panel, top panels corresponding to the respective end panels, the combined thickness of a top and end panel being substantially equal to the difference between the thickness of the bottom panel and a combination of a central panel together with a 5 pair of side panels adjacent thereto, all of said panels having a substantial thickness, pivotal hinge connections between the adjacent edges of the side panels and the central panel close to the top surfaces of said panels, together with means under control of the operator operative to draw the side panels towards the central panel by exerting tension on the lower surface portions of the side panels when the panels are in substantial parallelism with respect to each other, whereby all of said panels are locked in co-planar relationship, substantially as described.

11. In a device of the class described, the combination of two panels, each having a substantial thickness, pivotal hinge connections between the adjacent edges of said panels close to the top surfaces of the panels, together with means under the control of the operator operative effectively to draw the two panels together by exerting tension on said panels, whereby the panels are locked 1 in co-planar relationship, substantially as described.

12. In a device of the class described, the combination of a central panel together with a pair of side panels adjacent thereto, all of said panels 5 lOi ' tialiparallelism withrespect to each other, whereby all of said panels are locked in co-planar relationship,substantially as described.

13.1 In, combination, two panels pivotally interconnected by means of. a pair of links, said links being pivotally aflixed to one of said panels, and one link of each pair of links being pivotally aillx'edto the other of said panels, and a slidable connection between the other link of said pair of links; andthe second mentioned panel permitting slidinggmovement only with the sliding link lying parallel to said second mentioned panel, substantially as described 14.:In;combi.nat on; tw p n l pivotally neetedzto th nby mea s 0t h n es, e said hinges;being-composed;of: av plurality of links, eachi'of said links being pivotally connectedat one: end tonne-panel, and some of said links beingpivotallyconnected at the other end to the other panel and some of said links being slidably connected atsaid' last mentioned end to said othe'rtpa'nel to'permitsliding movement only with said sliding links: travelling parallel to said panel, substantially as described.

1 5. In combin ation', two panels piyota-lly con--- nected together by means of a pa ir of links, one

of said links being pivotally connected at one end to one panel and at the other end tothe other panel, said pivotal connections being adjacent toone surface of each of said panels, andjthe other of said links being pivotally connected at one end to one panel and slidably connected at the other end to the other panel, said pivot al and slide connections of said second mentionedlink lying adjacent to the opposite surface of said panels from that of the first mentioned link substantially as described. v

16. In combinatioma hingecomprising atlink.

pivotally connected at one end adjacentfto a surface of one panel and at the other end: -ad- Jacent tothe corresponding surface ota second panel, a second link pivotallyconnected adjacent to the other surfaceo f the first rnent-ioned panel1 opposite a the connection of the f rst 7 mentioned,

link, and slidably connected adjacent to the other surface of the second mentioned panel QDDOSi teto the connection of the first mentioned'link on said panel and having sliding'moyement only with said sliding link moving parallel-to said panel, substantially as described. a

T. ETHAN HORST,

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